Java 1973

On another tour organized by David Thornhill of "World Steam", I was able to visit Java, Malaysia and Singapore in 1973, when there were some incredibly ancient steam locomotives still in use as well as more modern traction. As with many places, the history of Indonesian Railways is pretty complicated, suffice to say that at the time of my visit the railways were run by PNKA (Perusahaan Negara Kereta Api), Indonesian State Railways, and the lines were 3' 6" gauge. There were also a couple of 2 foot gauge lines and many narrow gauge lines around the sugar mills. Here are a few photos for starters - more will be added as time permits.

PNKA No. DD51 03, Madiun Works, 25th July 1973

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PNKA No. DD51 03, Madiun Works, 25th July 1973

Apart from the DD52 class of 2-8-8-0 Mallets, of which we had already been lucky enough to see No. DD52 03 working, there were two earlier series of big Mallets of class DD50 and DD51. The eight locos of DD50 were built by Alco in 1916 and the twelve of class DD51 by Alco in 1919. By this time, it seems all the DD50s had been scrapped but a few of the DD51s remained in various places in varying states of dereliction. This one, DD51 03, is in not too bad a state dumped within the confines of the works at Madiun. It is Alco Works No. 58725 of 1919. Wednesday 25th July 1973. Slide No. 11829A.

GMP Slide11829A DD5103 MadiunWorks 250773 geoff plumb

Java 1973

Ardan Nugroho

jawbreaker

Nurachman

Ressa